The family of the latest victim of dissident paramilitary gunmen are remaining at his bedside in the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is clinging to life. Stock image

The family of the latest victim of dissident paramilitary gunmen are remaining at his bedside in the Royal Victoria Hospital where he is clinging to life.

Moments after Harry Boyle (25) stepped out of his car at his home in the Creggan area of Londonderry, masked gunmen jumped out of a vehicle and fired two bullets into his legs, leaving him with critical injuries.

The father of one was due to appear at the Crown Court in Derry on a number of Class A, B and C drug-related charges yesterday but instead he lay in an induced coma fighting for his life.

Doctors caring for Mr Boyle called his family to his bedside, including his former partner and mother of his two-year-old daughter.

Mr Boyle had only moved into his home at Magowan Park in Creggan seven weeks ago.

Hours after he had been gunned down and left to die in the street, a large pool of dried blood bore testament to the rough justice that is still a factor in Northern Ireland's society almost 20 years after the Good Friday Agreement.

The level of fear that dissident republicans exert in Derry leaves people afraid to step outside their own front door when the gunmen flex their muscles.

James McNamee lives in a house across the street from Harry Boyle's home, but despite knowing instantly what was happening outside, fear prevented him from getting off his sofa.

He said: "I had just pulled my curtains and had sat down to watch a bit of TV when I heard the car coming up the street.

"He (Harry Boyle) drives a Subaru and I knew it was him by the noise of it. Moments later I heard another car drive up and two doors getting slammed really loud and right after that three shots were fired.

"I sat where I was. I was scared for my own safety so I didn't move for a good 20 minutes or so until I heard other people in the street outside.

"The ambulance was there by that stage and they were putting him into the back of it so I came back in and closed my door again.

"I know who he is. I am from around the same area where he is originally from but I have kept my distance from him since I moved up here."